Does anyone here have an underactive thyroid?

melbury

Can the thyroxine tablets throw you into menopause? Since being on this medication I have terrible nights - wake up really hot and sweaty and have to kick the duvet off. Also get pain in my knee, elbows and wrists - really stiff and achy in the morning. Think I am falling apart! Does anyone else get this?

TomsMom

melbury wrote: »

Can the thyroxine tablets throw you into menopause? Since being on this medication I have terrible nights - wake up really hot and sweaty and have to kick the duvet off. Also get pain in my knee, elbows and wrists - really stiff and achy in the morning. Think I am falling apart! Does anyone else get this?

I don't think so. Considering I started on thyroxine aged 27 and went into menopause around age 54 it certainly didn't start mine off early!

LadyMorticia

I don't have it (not that I know of anyway as my depression isn't caused by a physical problem) but my mum and nan both have it. They don't get depression with it though but they are both on tablets for life. They're not anti-depressants though. They're some other kind of tablet to help control it.

xx

melbury

TomsMom wrote: »

I don't think so. Considering I started on thyroxine aged 27 and went into menopause around age 54 it certainly didn't start mine off early!

May I ask which brand of thyroxine you take? There is a lot of talk that the generic make of levothyroxine is not as good as the branded thyroxine, also that it is not good to take different brands. For example, I am on one brand for my 25mcgs tablet and a different brand for my 50mcgs tablet. Would appreciate your opinion on this. Is there a best brand of thyroxine?

Thanks.

I_love_Airedales

Melbury I get stiff and aching joints too. I get pain in my finget tips about the last1/4 of my fingers and my skin seems flushed. The worst thing is the memory - or lack of it!!
I am having a bloodtest on the 8th so maybe have my tablets altered. I feel my dose is slightly high feel a bit light headed, spaced out.
Take care all nice to know we are not alone.
ILA

TomsMom

melbury wrote: »

May I ask which brand of thyroxine you take? There is a lot of talk that the generic make of levothyroxine is not as good as the branded thyroxine, also that it is not good to take different brands. For example, I am on one brand for my 25mcgs tablet and a different brand for my 50mcgs tablet. Would appreciate your opinion on this. Is there a best brand of thyroxine?

Thanks.

I take Eltroxin, I requested it and it is now on my prescription so the pharmacist can only dispense that brand.

I think the jury will always be out over the branded/generic discussion. Some will say there's no difference, but try convincing the people who don't do well on Brand X but feel much better on Brand Y.

First of all, everyone is different so we all react differently. Some people are diagnosed hypothyroid, get prescribed thyroxine, doctors repeat tests and alter dose until doctor is happy with results and patient feels OK. That's the classic text book case which everyone hopes is them and it seems to work for a good majority of thyroid patients.

Then you get someone who gets diagnosed, prescribed thyroxine, doctors repeat tests and alter dose until he is happy with results but the patient still feels cr*p. Some doctors will work with the patient by tweaking dose until he/she feels OK. Some doctors will say "Well your blood tests say you're fine so you must be, your symptoms are nothing to do with your thyroid, go away and exercise/diet/think happy thoughts or whatever. None of us want a doctor like that.

Likewise, some people are given a prescription which says "thyroxine" and the pharmacist (under NHS rules I believe) must dispense whichever brand he can obtain cheapest, usually the generic form. The majority of patients are fine whichever brand they take.

Unfortunately, some people react differently to different brands. Although they basically are the same, i.e. have to contain X amount of levothyroxine, but it's the other ingredients that can vary and this is where people can possibly have a problem. e.g.

TEVA - The 50mcg and 100 mcg tablet ingredients are: Levothyroxine Sodium BP, Lactose, Dextrin, Maize Starch, Magnesium Stearate

Teva 25mcg tablets - these are actually manufactured by Custom Pharmaceuticals. The ingredients in these Anhydrous Levothyroxine Sodium, Sodium Citrate, Lactose, Maize Starch, Acacia Powder, Magnesium Stearate.

ACTAVIS - The 50mcg and 100mcg tablet ingredients are listed as: Levothyroxine Sodium, Lactose, Magnesium Stearate, Maize Starch, Stearic Acid

IVAX - The 50 mcg tablets distributed by IVAX are manufactured by Custom Pharmaceuticals for Goldshield Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Ingredients are: Levothyroxine Sodium BP, Sodium Citrate, Lactose, Maize starch, Powdered Acacia, Magnesium Stearate, Purified water.

ELTROXIN (Goldshield) - (Brand) Thyroxine Sodium BP, Sodium Citrate, Lactose, Maize starch, Powdered Acacia, Magnesium Stearate, Purified water.

APS (Approved Prescription Services) - (Generic) Active ingredient: Thyroxine Sodium BP, lactose, dextrin, maize starch and magnesium stearate.

CP PHARMACEUTICALS Ltd. - (Generic) Thyroxine Sodium BP, lactose, sucrose (fine powder), maize starch, and magnesium stearate.

COX PHARMACEUTICALS (also ALPHARMA) - (Generic) Thyroxine Sodium Lactose, magnesium stearate, maize starch, stearic acid.

So a very subtle difference in some. Dextrin is used in some but not all. Also sodium citrate, stearic acid and powdered acacia. So if a patient doesn't do well on one type then it would be worth suggesting your doctor "names" another one to try. Or if you are given a different type with your next prescription keep a diary to see if anything changes, then if you feel you are better on one type then you can ask your doctor to make sure you get it each time by naming it on the prescription.

By the way, if a patient is lactose intolerant it is possible to get lactose free thyroxine.

In the vast majority of cases a patient does well on any thyroxine, a few people feel they do better on a certain brand, and a small minority may need the addition of T3 or may need the natural thyroid (Armour) but it's not easy to get that on prescription as most doctors think that synthetic thyroxine is the only answer.

There is a lot of information on http://www.thyroiduk.org with some interesting information about certain foods and drugs that can be problematic if you are hypothyroid including valium, asprin, betablockers, medicines and multivit/mineral tablets containing iodine, even Prempack HRT (go to Treatment>Problem drugs and Foods)

But most of all Melbury, give yourself time, taking thyroxine is not like taking paracetamol for a headache (virtually instant results), your thyroid has either stopped working or is not working efficiently and has been like that for some time for it to show up in symptoms and blood tests. It will take time for your levels to get back to normal, as I said in an earlier post it could take a few months of gradual increases in your meds. Be patient and I am sure you will be one of the majority and you will stabilise on thyroxine soon and without further problems.

melbury

TomsMom wrote: »

I take Eltroxin, I requested it and it is now on my prescription so the pharmacist can only dispense that brand.

I think the jury will always be out over the branded/generic discussion. Some will say there's no difference, but try convincing the people who don't do well on Brand X but feel much better on Brand Y.

First of all, everyone is different so we all react differently. Some people are diagnosed hypothyroid, get prescribed thyroxine, doctors repeat tests and alter dose until doctor is happy with results and patient feels OK. That's the classic text book case which everyone hopes is them and it seems to work for a good majority of thyroid patients.

Then you get someone who gets diagnosed, prescribed thyroxine, doctors repeat tests and alter dose until he is happy with results but the patient still feels cr*p. Some doctors will work with the patient by tweaking dose until he/she feels OK. Some doctors will say "Well your blood tests say you're fine so you must be, your symptoms are nothing to do with your thyroid, go away and exercise/diet/think happy thoughts or whatever. None of us want a doctor like that.

Likewise, some people are given a prescription which says "thyroxine" and the pharmacist (under NHS rules I believe) must dispense whichever brand he can obtain cheapest, usually the generic form. The majority of patients are fine whichever brand they take.

Unfortunately, some people react differently to different brands. Although they basically are the same, i.e. have to contain X amount of levothyroxine, but it's the other ingredients that can vary and this is where people can possibly have a problem. e.g.

TEVA - The 50mcg and 100 mcg tablet ingredients are: Levothyroxine Sodium BP, Lactose, Dextrin, Maize Starch, Magnesium Stearate

Teva 25mcg tablets - these are actually manufactured by Custom Pharmaceuticals. The ingredients in these Anhydrous Levothyroxine Sodium, Sodium Citrate, Lactose, Maize Starch, Acacia Powder, Magnesium Stearate.

ACTAVIS - The 50mcg and 100mcg tablet ingredients are listed as: Levothyroxine Sodium, Lactose, Magnesium Stearate, Maize Starch, Stearic Acid

IVAX - The 50 mcg tablets distributed by IVAX are manufactured by Custom Pharmaceuticals for Goldshield Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Ingredients are: Levothyroxine Sodium BP, Sodium Citrate, Lactose, Maize starch, Powdered Acacia, Magnesium Stearate, Purified water.

ELTROXIN (Goldshield) - (Brand) Thyroxine Sodium BP, Sodium Citrate, Lactose, Maize starch, Powdered Acacia, Magnesium Stearate, Purified water.

APS (Approved Prescription Services) - (Generic) Active ingredient: Thyroxine Sodium BP, lactose, dextrin, maize starch and magnesium stearate.

CP PHARMACEUTICALS Ltd. - (Generic) Thyroxine Sodium BP, lactose, sucrose (fine powder), maize starch, and magnesium stearate.

COX PHARMACEUTICALS (also ALPHARMA) - (Generic) Thyroxine Sodium Lactose, magnesium stearate, maize starch, stearic acid.

So a very subtle difference in some. Dextrin is used in some but not all. Also sodium citrate, stearic acid and powdered acacia. So if a patient doesn't do well on one type then it would be worth suggesting your doctor "names" another one to try. Or if you are given a different type with your next prescription keep a diary to see if anything changes, then if you feel you are better on one type then you can ask your doctor to make sure you get it each time by naming it on the prescription.

By the way, if a patient is lactose intolerant it is possible to get lactose free thyroxine.

In the vast majority of cases a patient does well on any thyroxine, a few people feel they do better on a certain brand, and a small minority may need the addition of T3 or may need the natural thyroid (Armour) but it's not easy to get that on prescription as most doctors think that synthetic thyroxine is the only answer.

There is a lot of information on http://www.thyroiduk.org with some interesting information about certain foods and drugs that can be problematic if you are hypothyroid including valium, asprin, betablockers, medicines and multivit/mineral tablets containing iodine, even Prempack HRT (go to Treatment>Problem drugs and Foods)

But most of all Melbury, give yourself time, taking thyroxine is not like taking paracetamol for a headache (virtually instant results), your thyroid has either stopped working or is not working efficiently and has been like that for some time for it to show up in symptoms and blood tests. It will take time for your levels to get back to normal, as I said in an earlier post it could take a few months of gradual increases in your meds. Be patient and I am sure you will be one of the majority and you will stabilise on thyroxine soon and without further problems.

Thanks so much for your post, crammed full of really helpful information. I think I will ask my GP to ensure that I get Eltroxin rather than the generic tablets. I was given Eltroxin initially for a month and I am sure I didn't have all of these side effects - the sweating and aching. I wonder if he will comply, or if he will say it's just nonsense and there is no difference! Is there anything I can do if he refuses?

As you said, I might have had a dodgy thyroid for years as I have never been tested for this before. That is reassuring to know that it can take months for the thyroxin levels to build up again and make the symptoms disappear. What happens to the antibodies though, do they disappear as well and stop attacking?

I have still not been told exactly what the cause of my problems was, but with a TPO antibody reading of 234, I am assuming it is Hashimotos disease, however have not actually been told this by my GP or the endo that I saw.

Thanks again.

melbury

I have just been reading about the fact that the FDA in the U.S. were considering banning Synthroid because after 40 years it didn't seem to be working that well and could in fact be dangerous:eek: :eek:

I find this very worrying, is there no alternative to this synthetic thyroxine?

Doctors just seem to take the attitude that taking this pill everyday will be an instant cure.

Conversely though there must be millions of people taking it that do get some benefit - hopefully!

TomsMom

melbury wrote: »

I have just been reading about the fact that the FDA in the U.S. were considering banning Synthroid because after 40 years it didn't seem to be working that well and could in fact be dangerous:eek: :eek:

Don't worry about Synthroid. We don't get that brand here. If there was anything wrong with our thyroxine we would have heard about it by now, our synthetic thyroxine has been around since the 1960s.

I find this very worrying, is there no alternative to this synthetic thyroxine?

Yes, the alternative is the piggy pills I mentioned. Doctors wont consider this unless they are convinced you can't get better on thyroxine and then it's only a few doctors. And it is hard to find an NHS doctor who is willing to prescribe it. You can get it from a private doctor but, of course, you will have to pay for it via that route.

Doctors just seem to take the attitude that taking this pill everyday will be an instant cure.

A lot of doctors do but hopefully you've got a doctor who will take your symptoms into account as well as the blood test results.

Conversely though there must be millions of people taking it that do get some benefit - hopefully!

Yes there are, you don't hear about them because they are doing well and have no problems.

TomsMom

I think I will ask my GP to ensure that I get Eltroxin rather than the generic tablets. I was given Eltroxin initially for a month and I am sure I didn't have all of these side effects - the sweating and aching. I wonder if he will comply, or if he will say it's just nonsense and there is no difference! Is there anything I can do if he refuses?

I am assuming you have a good relationship with your doctor and he listens to you. Tell him the side effects you are having now and that you are wondering if it is because you have a different brand of thyroxine as it seems to coincide with when you changed brands. Ask if he would mind prescribing Eltroxin so that you can see if the side effects go away. Assure him you will keep a diary of symptoms so that you can report back to him. Make sure he writes Eltroxin on the prescription.

What happens to the antibodies though, do they disappear as well and stop attacking?

Antibody attacks come and go. Each attack destroys a bit more of the thyroid. This is a good site about thyroid http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyroidism/a/hashivshypo.htm

I have still not been told exactly what the cause of my problems was, but with a TPO antibody reading of 234, I am assuming it is Hashimotos disease, however have not actually been told this by my GP or the endo that I saw.

I don't think any of us know why we got an underactive thyroid in the first place. Sometimes it's genetic - your mum has it and there's a chance that you may too. But what caused your mum's in the first place???????? Sometimes trauma causes it (included in trauma is childbirth). Sometimes your thyroid just stops working for no known reason.

One cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's disease. Ask your doctor if yours is Hashimoto's disease.